15 replies to this topic

[Alec J]

On my focus it seems to have what looks like a lid for a compartment on the top of the dash.

When pressing it nothing happens but if you press either side it seems to rock left to right slightly.

Is this a compartment thats stuck shut or is it a cover that shouldnt be removed?

Alec

[dezwez]

it for a air bag i think

[Alec J]

It doesnt say airbag on it, its right in the center of the dash and has like a long dipped section in the plastic which looks like a pressing point

[Hell5200]

If its above the air vents it could be a compartment you have to pull to open it.

[dezwez]

mines a 2002 so i dont no about yours but i would have said air bag
maybe someone will confirm

[Alec J]

Yeah its above the air vent section in the middle, i didnt wanna just pop it with a screwdriver incase it wasnt meant to be open.

I shall upload pictures tomorrow to further investigate

The lid looks something if not the same as this:

[liam-20]

Yes this is suppose open you push it down but as I found out the previous owner tiger sealed mine shut because the catch snapped.

[Brigante]

You push it in and it pops open. I've got it on mine. Its just a small storage compartment and where the gauge pod would of went on the ST.

If yours isnt opening when pushing in then the catch may be broken

[Preee]

Yes sounds like the catch is broken , or stuck , don't pull on it , it should pop open after being pushed, to remove the whole thing , you can pop out the center vent and the dash speedo dials and then push the clips from below and push the hwole section out , you can then carry out repairs to it.

[sparky7371]

same thing was wrong with mine, you dont need to take out the speedo! I used some wide plastic strips (puncture repair levers from my kids bike) you can prise out the whole plastic carefully from the dash, I found the instructions on a website (honest johns) and bought a new lid from Ford (£35 ish) and the job took about 10mins to do. Hardest part was getting the spring back in the correct way, that was after carefully and patiently prising the clips from the dash.

[IINexusII]

I didnt know there's a compartment there :S ill have to take a look at mine

[Brigante]

i think only higher spec models had this dash storage, titanium n ghia etc

[STEADS]

Sounds like previuos owner has disconected the spring to keep down thats what i,ve done on mine till i get around to getting a new lid.

[Alec J]

Sounds like previuos owner has disconected the spring to keep down thats what i,ve done on mine till i get around to getting a new lid.

So whats the best way to get it out without damageing the dash?

If its a fidly job then ill probably leave it. Glovebox and armrest are pretty good storage atm anyway.

[STEADS]

Try and get the lid up and just gently pull on it till the actual tray starts to come out of its holders so you can get a grip on that then just work it out of each where the actual compartment is is pretty sturdy be careful where you prize it from over the clocks a bit flimsy in that area